The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-07-16

There was pause. Smith broke it.
care you going to follow my advice,
Topshaml"
mo. Certainly not 1 love the girl
She loves me. If can't marry her shall
do no good. It's the knowing and loving
her that has kept me so straight"
So old Smith took his departure.
Of course it was very soon all over the
barracks that the rivals had been closeted
together, and general interest in the affair
was intensified. This reached climax
when, upon the evening after the interview
above recorded, Bob Topsham rushed into
the mess-room, his face flushed, his ewes
sparkling with anger and roared out:
where's Smith, Where is he? pll cali
him outl Any of you fellows seen him1n
"Old Smithl' drawled languid Junior
'He applied for weeks leave this after.
noon, and went off by the five train to
town"
HAS he, thought The double-faced
cadp'
Every one looked up at this unusual ebul.
! lition OF wrath, and there was a chorus of
"Whyl"
because he went off with Oracle Clourh
But I'll be even with HIM or my names NOT
Bob Topshamp'
| Up the steps Of Lord Cray's residence in
Bryanston Square Smith went day or two
after the events above recorded. The
words 'Hosphire Regiment" on his card
procured him instant admission to the pres.
ence of a nobleman who was not visible to
one person out of half dozen who called
and he found himself with tall, dark man,
who was suitably enshrined in lofty dark
study.
''Ha, Mr.. Smith," said Lord Cray, rising
| Delighted to see you, sir; and yet--and
| yet-rm always in rather a tremble when
| any one from the regiment calls, on account
OF that scapcgrace of son of mine.n
at is with reference to him that have
come" said Smith.
Then before you begin, please ell me
if am to prepare myself for bad Jews 2"
said Lord Cray.
"Well, my Lord, it needn't be adj" re-
piled Smith. THAT is to say, depends
upon the way you look at it.''
'H'm! Depends upon me, doestl What
is it?" asked his lordship.
He's in love with GIRL" saitold Smith.
CHATS regular epidemicwith him,
Mr.. Smith," said Lord Cray But if she's
lady and all right don't cae. Nothing
will steady him until he marris, and if, as
l said, she's-ahem, of suitSle position
of course, Mr.. Smith, we INST be little
exclusive-why, it's the veryoest thing he
can do"
"Well, my Lord, there's he difficulty"
said old Smith. "She's lao by birth and
education, but from pressurtof family Cir
cumstances she has been obliged to get her
living in a milliner's shop"
''milliner's shopr' exclaired Lord Cray.
THAT is indeed difficult. The best of
birth and education hardl balances tho
shop, does it, cha Confoud him And
the matters gone so far tina you've come
to see me about it. OF curse you're
great friend Of his. beliee they call you
old Smith in the regiment, ont theya"
Eyes, take great interest in him and
in the girl" replied Smith; and I've taken
the liberty not only to speakpretty plainly
to your son, but to have the ,irl removed"
'"rhen you've constituted yourself the
young lady's protector, Mr.. Smith," said
His Lordship. "But if the c;use of the evil
is removed, why bother any more about it,
Why, sir, Robert has been in love-a score
Of times to my knowledge; YET he has sur
vived in each case. Why shouldn't he sur
vive in this?"
"Well, my Lord, you see the girl owes
him honestly and truly, and / conscien-
tiously believe that, in this instance, NJ
love is really genuine" replied Smith
True that she is out of his way now, but
could not answer for the effect which such
a separation might have on him."
"Hml Well, of course, Lord Cray's son
mustn't marry girl in trade, although
Lord Cray himself does sell his game and
his fruit, and possesses coal wharf on the
Regents canal" said the nobleman. "Yet
you say she's lady. Where is she, Capt
ain Smithr'
"With her father in the country" replied
the officer.
"Who is he9 What is hep' asked Lord
Cray.
HE is clergyman-the rector of poor
parish, with large family to bring up
upon a very insufficient income, so that he
has been obliged to send his daughter out
to get her own living in the world" replied
old Smith.
The great man rose from his chair and
paced up and down the room for some mo-
ments in deep thought. At last he stopped
short and said:
captain Smith, get the girl out of the
millinery business as soon as you can. OF
course am saying this upon the supposi-
ton that you are so far acquainted with
her as to be able to do it. If money is
needed write me a line here, and let the
young rascal pursue his suit. l don't know
how to thank you sufficiently for the trouble
you have taken, as in the absence of the in
formation you have given me, l should as
suredly have treated the clandestine union
of my son with milliner girl with the
greatest severity"
''Then l may tell your son, my lord, that
and"
"The sooner he gets married the better"
said Lord Cray.
Old Smith took his leave with beaming
face and arrived at Filstone in time for
mess.
The Hon. Bob Topsham was there and
glared unutterable things at his brother
officer throughout the repast. Indeed, old
Smith could not help being conscious that
he was an object Of general interest, and,
from the fact that conversation at the tao1G
was more subdued than usual, although il
was guest night, he opined that during
his brief absence storm had been gather.
ing which would presently burst upon his
head.
Immediately after dinner Smith, as was
his custom, rose and left the room, with
out taking any wine. Bob Topsham also
rose and followed him, and when he GOT
outside the door said, in a voice which was